The SIOP Women Leaders in Paediatric Oncology (WLPO) Network aims to build the next generation of talented female professionals in paediatric oncology. It strengthens bonds within the Society, and enables female members to support and celebrate each other.
Scope
The SIOP Women Leaders in Paediatric Oncology Network aims to promote and support female leadership in paediatric oncology, fostering camaraderie and professional growth among women working in global child health. Through public events, role-modelling, mentorship and networking opportunities, the Network seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders. The Network strengthens connections among female SIOP members, encourage mutual support, and celebrate the contributions of women in paediatric oncology.
Key Activities
Latest News
Leadership Opportunities: SIOP Women Leaders Network (due July 12, 2025)
The SIOP WLPO Network invites self-nominations for two leadership positions
2025 SIOP Almanac of Women Leaders Released
We are delighted to present the full third edition of the SIOP Almanac of Women Leaders, featuring profiles of exceptional women leaders in paediatric oncology
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Ms Laura Tan (Singapore)
Today’s profile is of Ms. Laura Tan, who works at the VIVA-University Children’s Cancer Centre at the National University Hospital as an Outreach Program Senior Nursing Lecturer where she focuses on expanding Nursing Training in the Asia Pacific Region.
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Ms. Patricia Blanc
Ms. Patricia Blanc has twenty years’ of experience in
a major French bank, specializing in audit, strategy,
development, project management, and human
resources. With a rich international experience,
including residencies in South Africa and New-York,
she co-founded the “Imagine for Margo: Children
without Cancer” non-profit association in 2011 after
losing her daughter, Margaux, to an aggressive brain
tumor at the age of 14.
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Dr. Gwenda Anga-Lester
Today’s profile is of Dr. Gwenda Anga-Lester, a paediatrician with an interest in Paediatric Oncology from Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Ms. Edith Grynszpancholc
Today’s profile is of Ms. Edith Grynszpancholc (Argentina), a bereaved mother who founded, in the memory of her child, the Natalí Dafne Flexer Foundation which currently serves 1,200+ families across Argentina
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Dr. Crystal Mackall
Today’s profile is of Dr. Crystal Mackall (USA), Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Stanford University, the Founding Director of the Stanford Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, and Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Stanford.
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Dr. Jennifer Geel
Today’s profile is of Dr. Jennifer Geel (South Africa), Head of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, former Chair of the South African Ministerial Advisory Committee on Cancer Control and Prevention and current Secretary-General of SIOP Africa
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Dr. Mariko Kakazu
Today’s profile is of Dr. Mariko Kakazu, a Japanese paediatric haematologist-oncologist who has contributed to improving the survival rate of childhood cancer in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar
2024 Almanac of Women Leaders: Dr. Kusuma Kumary
Today’s profile is of Dr. Kusuma Kumary, who is instrumental in establishing the Paediatric Oncology Department at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum, making advanced cancer treatment accessible to underprivileged children across the Kerala region of India
Join this Network
To join this Network, please:
- Log into SIOP CONNECT with your SIOP username and password
- Go to GROUPS
- Search for “Women Leaders”
- Click the JOIN button
- Congratulations – you are now a member of this Network!
This Network is open to all SIOP members. Renew your membership today.
Stay Connected
Steering Group
Sarah Cohen-Gogo,
Co-Chair
Liz Sniderman,
Co-Chair
Constance Nyasulu
Nisreen Amayiri
Mariana Nana
Rawad Rihani
Carmen Uscatu
Khilola Rustamova
The Terms of Reference of the Network clarify the nominations and elections process for all Network leadership positions. All Network members are eligible to apply for leadership roles within the Network. Open positions are announced in the Weekly Bulletin and listed here.
